Before I started this blog I used to contribute articles to various sites. I wrote this particular piece on a historic day in May 2015 when the people of Scotland decided that they would place their trust in the SNP to represent them in 56 of the possible 59 Westminster parliament seats allocated to Scotland. When I read this now, particularly the fifth paragraph, as time moves on, a nation ignored, over-ruled and insulted, it seems that we are heading towards only one conclusion ……….Arrogance indeed comes before a fall.
“The people of Scotland have spoken, Along with the citizens of the rest of the UK they have exercised their democratic right to choose who represents them and best serves their interests in government.
By an overwhelming majority, and importantly not just those who voted Yes in September, they have selected a progressive social democratic political party whose policies most reflect the traditional values held dear by them. Values which have over generations helped build the NHS, protect the old and the vulnerable, and paid due consideration to the needs of others in society.
Scotland has radically gone it alone against the tide of hypocrisy and self-serving greed which has pervaded politics in the UK for at least the last thirty years and looks like it may continue for another five years.This divergence ultimately may lead to only one conclusion.
In the last two years there has been a period of civil engagement and enlightenment on a scale never seen before. Apathy and resignation regarding politics has well and truly been banished. Facts about Scotland’s ability to flourish and be self-reliant, its resources, its innovation and its expertise have been examined and substantiated. Negativity and myths, often propagated by the state and unionist broadcasting and print media regarding the nature of our relationship with our partners in the United Kingdom, have been debunked. The people of Scotland are not now going to unlearn what they have come to know and better understand.
Scots during the 2014 referendum were invited to stay as part of a partnership of nations. They have done so and have called Westminster’s bluff. Whatever the mechanics of the deals and discussions of the next few days the outcome is clear. The people of Scotland’s views must be accommodated. The parties of Unionism and the British government must respect the democratic decisions of Scotland’s people and Scotland’s parliament. If they do not they do so at their peril, and the days of union will indeed be numbered.
Politicians of all parties, no matter who they are, will let the electorate down at some point or other, that is the nature of the beast. The Scottish National Party are no different. However they have earned the significant kudos of being the key which has unlocked the door to the possibilities of progressive government, a cliche perhaps, but “real” government by the people. With a bit of luck and a fair wind this radical turn in politics will eventually spread throughout the rest of the UK as like-minded voters elsewhere take up the call and others become more deeply engaged in issues which affect them. For now though it seems withering austerity measures for ordinary people, and not those of privilege and wealth, coupled with the fallacy of Thatcherite Blair trickle-down economics, will continue.
The oft used but much misused word “awesome” comes to mind. As a Scot who loves his country passionately I almost always see the positive side of any social progress that takes place, I generally, therefore, do not need much convincing on all things Scottish, but today in particular I am completely in awe of the courage of the people/s of my country, as never before.
Not in any way trying to overstate the magnitude and significance of today’s events in Scotland (the progress towards change achieved has not needed to be on the scale of the struggle for representation and self determination which generated the following quote), but as a man diminutive in stature,but a giant in terms of world leadership and progressive politics once said:
“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.”
itisintruthnotforglory 